Customers, organisations, and businesses are all embracing digital transformation. This article explains how digitally focused BSS and OSS systems can assist satellite service providers in embracing digitalisation without making big investments.

Many people are unsure about digital transformation. This article will concentrate on some of the main outcomes that Satellite BSS systems should provide as part of the digital transformation objectives.

Digital transformation should automate important procedures by exchanging data between OSS and BSS. Many satellite operators run multiple, isolated systems within their OSS. They don't share data or correlate procedures.

Digitally enabled BSS solutions aim to connect these complex systems across multiple satellite operators. Enabling an automated process to run without manual intervention saves time and money that can be used on other value-added tasks.

With more intricate and diverse products, services, and networks, greater interaction between the two (OSS & BSS) is required. For example, processing an order may require information about the customer’s existing services, routing to the right Point of Presence (POP), and currently available network resources.

Due to the nature of legacy satellite services, the lack of common standards among network operators, and the limited default capabilities of operator tools, third-party BSS solutions integrated with Satellite Operator OSS are the best alternative to fulfil the evolving nature of customer digital expectations. 

BSS systems are now more than just billing and provisioning systems; they also provide ecosystems that improve the efficiency and reliability of delivering applications, content, and managed services. It enables application development platforms, data ingestion from edge devices, managed service delivery, and monitoring tools such as IoT, M2M, and edge sensors to put you in charge of producing value for your customers.

This all may sound very complicated, and one could wonder how to obtain such capabilities. The good news is that you are not required to reinvent the wheel. We at Meta X Associates understand the challenges and have developed a practical solution that will save you time, money, and provide you with peace of mind without detracting from your current business.

The majority of service providers have both direct end-customer relationships and a channel via which they sell their services, which include a wide range of satellite services from several fixed and mobile satellite operators.

Whether it is your end customer or your channel, the client determines the business needs for a BSS system, which include the following

1. A straightforward, user-friendly single interface that connects to all satellite operators.
2. The needed level of automation is consistent across all satellite providers and their services.
3. The type of information is gathered, processed, and securely stored to fulfil the needs of commercial and government customers.
4. It is a multi-tiered environment with access restrictions.
5. API Interface to connect with channel partners, application providers and most importantly end customer systems.

Current Satellite Operator OSS/BSS Integration Limitations

1. To begin with, most satellite operators have acquired an incredibly diverse portfolio of OSS and BSS systems over time. Operators are unable to provide a uniform consistent experience across their services because the systems are insufficiently linked or networked.
2. All satellite operators have their own BSS systems, which makes it challenging for service providers to operate with numerous systems, acquire training, and then train their channels and end customers.
3. The service provider, DP, or VAR is responsible for designing and marketing the majority of the BSS integration and development as value-added services. Developing and linking these advanced systems, services, and products among multiple operators requires significant work. This also impacts channel partner sales targets.
4. If a channel partner uses the network operator’s shared BSS/OSS, their capabilities and differentiation will be limited.
5. Lastly, once the systems are developed and connected, there is a need for regular updates as new capabilities, such as rate plans and API changes are introduced.

Key Components of Digitally Enabled BSS & OSS solution

• Billing
• Provisioning
• Monitoring (including remote terminal management, network assets, terminals, connected sensor monitoring)
• POP and IP management.

10 Key consideration when selecting an external BSS solution:

Innovative BSS solution is now available for the satellite channel partner

Fortunately, there is a new breed of digitally enhanced BSS solution that has interconnection with the world’s leading satellite operators, has already interfaced with distributed OSS systems, have global point of presence (POPs) and is already in use by some of the largest service providers and end customers in the commercial and government domains. Simply put, big boys tools are now easily accessible to channel partners who have never acquired their own BSS tools.

Single Interface to Satellite Operators

Feature Rich Solution

Unified Satellite Provisioning across:

• All Inmarsat services across Maritime, Enterprise, Aviation and Government business units servicing over I-3, I-4, I-5 constellations including voice, M2M, IOT,  postpay and prepay rate plans.
• Iridium all legacy services including SBD and latest Certus service.
• Thuraya services.
• Intelsat & Eutelsat.
• Orbcomm
• 4G LTE.

Convergent Satellite billing

• Real time CDR processing from all satellite networks.
• Instant access to rated traffic data on any level.
• CDR mediation from Inmarsat, Intelsat, Iridium, Thuraya, Orbcomm, Eutelsat and LTE
• Single and split invoice capability.
• Build rating plan using drag & drop option.
• Integrated Revenue Assurance reporting that gives a bird view of the business.

Real-time Monitoring

• Real-time monitor Spending across Operator, Partners, Companies, Subscribers as well as on packages and usage.
• Real time CDR processing & Real time monitoring
• Spending, Usage monitoring on packages and users.
• Auto suspend, resume packages based on monitoring
• Manage usage with auto throttling of throughput (POP functionality required)

Single prepaid systems

• One prepaid for all satellite systems with one unified front end interface.
• Integrate with Inmarsat prepaid system.
• Integrate with Iridium prepaid system.
• Integrate with Thuraya prepaid system.
• Single Top-up interface across networks voucher, credit card top-up interface.
• Manage charging of partner top-up, set limits to their daily top-up capabilities.

M2M and Network Asset Monitoring

• Platform offers complete handling of M2M devices as well as date capture of connected equipment using Inmarsat APIs and APN from the OSS.
• Integrated M2M API that offers example full management across software updates, terminal, log files, terminal configuration.
• Integrated Cobham PRISM M2M & PTT server that allows direct control across 4G/Satellite to manage connected equipment with instant online capability.
• Integrated data management MQTT Broker with provisioning capability, to serve customer requirements from the energy vertical.
• Big Data capability example data assurance, data metrics like location, altitude, temperatures MIR, CIR to name few.

Dedicated POP as a service feature, extend valuable benefits to your end customers

• Firewall access
• Dedicated POP for higher level of security
• Allow you to host own or customer VAS services
• IP management / Routing / VPNs
• Data Throttling
• Deep packet Inspection
• Malware scanning

Conclusion

Signing up with a new satellite operator or thinking of expanding your value adds to your customers? Consider external evaluation of your existing BSS integration or outsource BSS as a service to save time, money, and resources and differentiate among your competitors. 

Meta X Associates assists service providers in achieving this by delivering a VAS monetisation strategy and by consolidating all leading network operators through one unified BSS solution along with a dedicated POP as a service, thereby lowering costs, removing inefficiencies, and enhancing service delivery in order to expand your business faster than ever. If you are considering about value adds or signing up with a new satellite provider, make sure to contact Meta X Associates

To receive a detailed presentation of our BSS/POP as a service contact us